UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- The U.N. Security Council expressed deep concern over the continued violence in the central Africa region carried out by the Lord's Resistance Army.
The LRA was accused in July by human rights officials with the United Nations of killing at least 26 people in 53 different villages in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in June. Another 21 people, including 10 children, were kidnapped.
The Security Council, in a statement, said it was concerned LRA violence was continuing in the region, creating a dire humanitarian situation.
"The council remains deeply concerned that its previous calls for the LRA to cease its attacks have not been heeded," the 15-member body added in a statement.
The council noted that more than 10,000 LRA rebels have been pardoned under Uganda's amnesty laws since 2000. Security Council members urged remaining LRA fighters to take advantage of the initiative.
Abou Moussa, the U.N. envoy for the region, added that national security forces in parts of central Africa don't have the ability to protect civilians and enforce the rule of law.
The Security Council, in a statement, said several LRA members were fugitives wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
